Blog Tour: Sadia by Colleen Nelson

Welcome to the next stop on the Sadia Blog Tour, with thanks to Dundurn and author Colleen Nelson for their support and participation! There will be two posts today, and the first belongs to Colleen herself!

Sadia wishes life in high school was as straightforward as a game of basketball.

Fifteen-year-old Sadia Ahmadi is passionate about one thing: basketball. Her best friend Mariam, on the other hand, wants to get noticed by the popular crowd and has started de-jabbing, removing her hijab, at school every morning. Sadia’s mom had warned her that navigating high school could be tricky. As much as she hates to admit it, her mom was right.

When tryouts for an elite basketball team are announced, Sadia jumps at the opportunity. Her talent speaks for itself. Her head scarf, on the other hand, is a problem; especially when a discriminatory rule means she has to choose between removing her hijab and not playing. Mariam, Sadia’s parents, and her teammates all have different opinions about what she should do. But it is Sadia who has to find the courage to stand up for herself and fight for what is right — on and off the court.

Today, we have the honour of sharing with you some of Colleen’s inspiration for her novel from her personal inspiration board. When asked what inspired her and what images she kept in her head while writing this book, Colleen responded with pictures that truly do speak a thousand words. Please click on the image for a closer look at some of these fascinating details, and scroll below for a chance to view the book trailer:

Colleen Nelson is a teacher and an award-winning YA author whose previous novels include Blood Brothers and Finding Hope. She lives in Winnipeg.

Check back later today for my posted review of Sadia!

Sadia is published by Dundurn Press and a copy of the book was provided for this blog tour. It is available for purchase from your favourite online and independent booksellers and from Chapters/Indigo. ISBN: 978-1-45974-029-7, 240 pages.